New to the whole scene, need help

great there is a term describing what i was afraid of LENS LUST, haha, who'da thunk it. well obviously people.

60 just seems like a lot and obsessive. you would have to know exactly what you were shooting to bring your right lenses. the stock lens that comes with the XTi, is that decent? anyone know?

i am borrowing a flash card from a friend tomorrow and heading to circuit city to try the XTi, they dont have the SD800 or 900 out on display for some reason, but i think best buy may, so im gonna go play with some stuff.

i have been looking at a lot of photography lately and it seems like all the good stuff i really love has been SLR stuff, a few things were DSC-H1 and of the sort, but seems like SLR is the best...

I got some great photos with my SD550 too, but there is a lot missing unless i am just not utilizing it correctly, seems like colors, focus, blurring, and all that handles so much bette ron an SLR, and even though I am obv. not professional, i want to learn more so maybe that is the right route (better than buying an LCD television i guess haha)

anyone know a site with lenses on it, i just want to take a look at types. i find it so bizzare there are so many. when i asked a friend about SLR because she has one, she said burst , fisheye, long zoom, wide angle, are prob the basic best ones (or maybe just the ones she used) beats me...?

in reality though i can get the XTI with lens for about 740 with a discount i can get, and the 800 or 900 for around 450ish, so it is 300 more, i am just wondering if people think it is worth it.

i also realize it is all relative to "what i want to shoot", but in reality before when i had my camera, i would just bring it everywhere, if i saw a cool animal i'd shoot it, neat person, i brought it to the carnival, here there, wherever, which is why compact was good, but if i am going to get better things out of an SLR, that may be worth it...

im so mixed !!! ahhh. hopefully testing out a few will help me decide. if i were rich id get an slr and a compact haha. c'est la vie.

Interesting...

Years ago my wife dropped her mobile 'phone in the river and pulled it out. So it went back and we asked for a quote. The said it was not repairable and what did we want done with it: I 'phoned them and they said it was repairable buta new this and a new that would probably be needed and would cost more than a new one. I said "OK, you might as well throw it in the bin for us".

I thought that was the end of it but a coupe of months later it was returned to us with a note saying it coudn't be repaired. (Despite knowing that it was curiosity that killed the cat) I put it to one side intending to take it to bits and have a good look inside. When I got round to it I switched it on and it worked perfectly...

So I'd suggest you put your damaged camera to one side and wait and see. Who knows what may happen?

As for a replacement, I have a Leica Digilux which isn't a DSLR but everyone who admires the pictures assumes it is and so I wonder if you really want a DSLR. There's lots with decent lenses and decent zoom ranges that would be an impovement on the old camera. And there's lots of DSLR's that are used with just the one lens 99% of the time. (It doesn't have to be Canon either - I've never owned one in 55 years of being a photographer.

Hope this helps, David

Well, if you've only a P&S experience then get the DSLR thing with the same range as the P&S. Get the best and then remember that in the good old days before zooms people walked a bit nearer instead of zooming in...

Years ago I got a bonus and bought a little Leica and just two carefully chosed lenses. I've still got them and still use them: it's just a matter of will-power and poverty. Having to eat everyday is a good motivator.

Regards, David

labyrinthworm said:

60 just seems like a lot and obsessive.

Click to expand...

------- Once you have that list in hand, though, you'll want a lot of them!

labyrinthworm said:

you would have to know exactly what you were shooting to bring your right lenses.

Click to expand...

------- Bingo!... these are all tools (and as such, a frivolous investment if there's not a job to do... which doesn't rule them out, any more than that hobby radial arm saw in the garage, but it gives perspecctive).

labyrinthworm said:

the stock lens that comes with the XTi, is that decent? anyone know?

Click to expand...

------- At $100 or less? It's not much of a lens. An oxymoronic pick, if you're getting dSLR for quality. (There's a reason they let you buy the body WITHOUT it!) So that's where the spending will start, not to mention more forum time, trying to figure out what's "best" (depends on what you are shooting, your budget, the mobility you need, and so on). If cash is tight, of course the kit lens is a bargain to tide you over for awhile.

labyrinthworm said:

i am borrowing a flash card from a friend tomorrow... gonna go play with some stuff.

Click to expand...

-------- Great. Don't forget your own original question: can I print from non-dSLR okay? You'll of course get distracted with all sorts of other lust and rationalization!

labyrinthworm said:

i have been looking at a lot of photography lately and it seems like all the good stuff i really love has been SLR stuff...

Click to expand...

-------- That partly might mean the SLR is better, but it partly will mean good photographers just buy those, but the tool doesn't make the photographer. Think of something parallel... like... would buying an $8000 guitar make you play like Clapton? (On the other hand, if you think you COULD play like Clapton, you'd want the $8000 guitar.)

labyrinthworm said:

I got some great photos with my SD550 too.

Click to expand...

------- You know what Ansel Adams or somebody said: he could take good pix with a homemade pinhole camera.

labyrinthworm said:

anyone know a site with lenses on it, i just want to take a look at types.

Click to expand...

-------- If you just want types, go to the manufacturers' sites, e.g.:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111

-------- And/or go to a completely stocked store like B&H Photo, and see what they have (and what they cost, at the stores), e.g.:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home ;jsessionid=FwztkgZg4j!1051679615?O=mainbanner&A=FetchChildren&Q=&ci=4266

-------- If you want ratings and user opinions and such, this is hard to beat (though you'll still have questions, like which of four Canon 70-200mm lenses is best for you, or is the 16-35 vs 17-40 best, and so on, plus you'll want to decide whether to get EF-S lenses which only fit crop-format cams like the XTi or get all full-frame EF lenses which don't work exactly the same on those bodies but would still be useful to you if you go to full-frame e.g. 5D later, and so on):
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php

labyrinthworm said:

i find it so bizzare there are so many.... burst , fisheye, long zoom, wide angle...

Click to expand...

-------- It's as you said above, depends on the task you're headed out to do. Some people only need one lens for the kind of thing they do. If you are putting a kit together, though, you can think about how wide you want to go, how long, and start filling in the range, deciding how much overlap you want (so you might not have to ALWAYS change lenses). You'll want to get into the prime-versus-zoom argument and make yourself crazy with that one, a bit. You'll want to know which ones need to be "fast" (f1.2 or f2 versus f4 or f5.6 and so on) and which might need image stabilization because of what you'll use them for and how... and many, many other things. Have you spent some time in Canon SLR Lens Talk or Nikon SLR Lens Talk in these forums? You'll find them very englightening (and full of varying opinions), and they'll give you some idea how much time and money you're about to consider getting into with all this.

labyrinthworm said:

in reality though i can get the XTI with lens for about 740 with a discount i can get, and the 800 or 900 for around 450ish, so it is 300 more, i am just wondering if people think it is worth it.

Click to expand...

-------- Other than the people who think there's only one answer, it has to do with your budget, your needs, your goals, what you'll buy today and what you'll buy tomorrow and the next year, what you'll learn at each step, and all the rest. Things only you can answer. But for a better comparison on what you just said, pick the Canon body you want most (XTi is the cheapest, might be fine, make SURE to see how it feels in your hands, too small for mine to grip well), then pick just 2-3 basic lenses, and wow, you're at $3000 easy... and having gotten to that, you'll wonder if you shouldn't get the 30D body or even 5D, but then you'll really want those better lenses, and so on. All in all, financially, it's hard to compare with the SD550 or 800 or 900 scenario. But if you really are good with the XTi and "kit lens" for now, then it's a fair comparison (don't forget a filter to protect the lens).

-------- There are REASONS the companies make a whole lineup... not everybody requires the same answer or the same tool.

labyrinthworm said:

in reality before when i had my camera, i would just bring it everywhere...which is why compact was good, but if i am going to get better things out of an SLR, that may be worth it... im so mixed !!! ahhh. hopefully testing out a few will help me decide. if i were rich id get an slr and a compact haha.

Click to expand...

-------- Remember, the tests are about printing, for now! The rest is emotion and lust! :-D But yes, having both kinds is the way to go. First and foremost, you won't get pix if you don't want to bring your camera along, so ask yourself if you're really going to bring a bag full of dSLR and lenses to the carnival and the BBQ and the club, or if you'll end up bringing nothing half the time. I still think you sound like you're well off with a pocket cam, if you like the prints. You can always get a dSLR at some point, too... they get better and less expensive all the time.

labyrinthworm said:

even though I am obv. not professional, i want to learn more so maybe that is the right route (better than buying an LCD television i guess haha)

Click to expand...

-------- You make a great point. And your level of interest indicates you have the basic will and skill to develop into a great level of photography. But only you know your budget vs. time. By the way, BHPhoto has a "wish list" feature, where you can put together a kit of body and lenses and see the total, as many different ones as you want (you'll have to log in with a profile first). That'll give you perspective. You might decide to buy the SD800 or SD900 now (or fix the SD550 for $150 or so), get the TV, and save for the dSLR kit you want. Meanwhile, imagine all the people you can "wow" when they say "you made that great photo with an SD-whatever?! Way to go!"

canonf1 said:

...(don't forget a filter to protect the lens)...

Click to expand...

Hmmm... Somehow spending $25-$50 to protect a $100 "kit" lens doesn't seem justified or necessary? ;-)

David and canonf1 gave good advice. I think you are overwhelmed with questions. A camera "system" invariably has lots of options and thus questions. Perhaps you need to move up from your 550 to something better, but with less options? Then later in your photography career, you will be better able to sift through the questions...

If you stick with Canon and buy into one of their "systems", you will turn into a Canon "fanboy". Don't do that! But don't become a Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax... addict either. Keep your eyes and options open.

I was wanting to move up from my 5700 a while ago. I knew some of the things I wanted (live preview, live histogram, great lens, big photosites, movable LCD screen, etc). I picked the Sony R1. I have not been dissapointed. You might look outside the Canon range for ideas?

Just to demonstrate one advantage of a high-end "bridge" camera...

One of my R1 photos was recently selected to be on the cover of our sports car club regional magazine. The shot was taken from low to the ground. I composed the shot by using the daylight-viewable LCD screen on the TOP of the camera. With an XTi I would have been laying on the ground. The location was a bit dangerous...it was on the outside of a curve and any car that spun out would come toward the camera (and photographer if co-located). I connected my remote control with 65' cord. That allowed me to take pix from a safe location. I also connected my Archos AV500, which allowed me to see what the camera was viewing. This remote control/viewing is not possible with a dSLR. Here is the pic that was on the cover:



My point is to broaden your viewpoint. Unfortunately, that will increase the # of questions. :-(

What you need to do is to write a list of your requirements and prioritize them. With my list, I didn't have more than 3 cameras to shoose from...

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700 & Sony R1
CATS #25
PAS Scribe @ http://www.here-ugo.com/PAS_List.htm
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
'I brake for pixels...'

i first want to thank everyone in the forum who has responded, it has been both helpful and confusing haha, but mostly helpful because i have learned more.

I am still conflicting on the size trade-off of the camera and the portability of will i bring this everywhere.

I went to Best Buy today and got some shots with the XTi, i loved the focus and everything right off, something i would've worked harder to get with my point and shoot. The guy let me try a telephoto lens too which was really great for the focus and whatnot. It felt weird, i wanted to spend more time, but i looked around for a bit.

The only one thing that i did not like. actually two were
A.) that when i look into the viewfinder my nose prints get on the LCD

B.) The LCD without live preview. I like the fact you can review right on the camera, but I am not used to the non-live preview, but I could warm up to it.

The thing is i really liked it, but i still have to ponder about the size issue in my mind, and portability issues. Also lens lust, and i saw a bigger flash system the ones that hook on the top for 350, though i would never get the stuff at BestBuy bc they are relatively expensive. I am sure the lenses are not 250 each , depending on what it is/where you get it. I just want to make sure i have something that lasts me a while, though if i do get this odds are i will want a point and shoot for compatibility. But now that i have felt it, and the little clicking sound when taking a picture and the clarity will make me want on of the SLRs eventually , damned if i do damned if i dont i guess.

the biggest drawback was the non-live preview.

Also

i have a sort of related question. best buy was like "OMG 4 year protection plan!!! and with what happened to my last one (which hopefully would not happen ever again) i want to be protected for ANY circumstance, if i drop it if i break it if i break it, and they said it was general defect/lens/etc protection, but how would i go about getting some sort of insurance for it if i got the more expesnive, i want it covered even if i throw it against a brick wall, is that expensive, easily available, etc???? sort of a side thing.

Congrats on a productive day. Nobody can say you're not being thorough!

I'd stumbled on an extended warranty thread the other day. You can probably find others (or google around). The idea that everything and anything would be covered is very compelling; the reality might fall far short of that, though, once you get into exclusions, etc. Other issues are mentioned in that forum, too. Depends if you have the money to blow, and if you can keep track of having the warranty, and if you're okay with the possibility it'll end up not covering much (or maybe it will). You also want to make very sure who's doing the work. Check it out (and dig for more):
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&message=20377228

labyrinthworm said:

I went to Best Buy today and got some shots with the XTi, i loved
the focus and everything right off, something i would've worked
harder to get with my point and shoot. The guy let me try a
telephoto lens too which was really great for the focus and
whatnot. It felt weird, i wanted to spend more time, but i looked
around for a bit.

Click to expand...

Phil has a full review of the XTi up, so go read that. He made a very good point in his last paragraph:

"Thanks to its blood line and low price the EOS 400D will no doubt be a huge success for Canon. However unlike the EOS 350D, for me it's no longer the first or obvious choice, so before jumping on the bandwagon make sure you've weighed up the competition."

In the previous paragraph, he lists the competition and their biggest selling point. Read it!

labyrinthworm said:

The only one thing that i did not like. actually two were
A.) that when i look into the viewfinder my nose prints get on the LCD

Click to expand...

Yes! That's a problem that not enough reviewers mention (prolly because "ALL" the camera manufacturers do it...and those manufacturers are the reviewers customers!) There IS one camera that solves that problem. The R1 moved the LCD screen to the top and extended the VF so that noses don't press the buttons located where the LCD screen would have been on other cameras. The result? Some reviewers panned the "funny" placement of the LCD screen and the VF sticking out the back too far. Others just ignored it totally.

labyrinthworm said:

B.) The LCD without live preview. I like the fact you can review
right on the camera, but I am not used to the non-live preview, but
I could warm up to it.

Click to expand...

With a bigger camera, like a prosumer or bridge, you also get a live preview through the EVF. I decided I did not want a camera w/o live preview. It's too valuable!

labyrinthworm said:

The thing is i really liked it, but i still have to ponder about
the size issue in my mind, and portability issues. Also lens lust,
and i saw a bigger flash system the ones that hook on the top for
350, though i would never get the stuff at BestBuy bc they are
relatively expensive. I am sure the lenses are not 250 each ,
depending on what it is/where you get it. I just want to make sure
i have something that lasts me a while, though if i do get this
odds are i will want a point and shoot for compatibility. But now
that i have felt it, and the little clicking sound when taking a
picture and the clarity will make me want on of the SLRs eventually
, damned if i do damned if i dont i guess.

the biggest drawback was the non-live preview.

Click to expand...

Bingo!

labyrinthworm said:

i have a sort of related question. best buy was like "OMG 4 year
protection plan!!! and with what happened to my last one (which
hopefully would not happen ever again) i want to be protected for
ANY circumstance, if i drop it if i break it if i break it, and
they said it was general defect/lens/etc protection, but how would
i go about getting some sort of insurance for it if i got the more
expesnive, i want it covered even if i throw it against a brick
wall, is that expensive, easily available, etc???? sort of a side
thing.

Click to expand...

There are extended warranties with coverage that INCLUDES accidental damage, like dropping it, water damage, etc. I bought a 3-year plan for my R1 from Sony for about $110. I read it and didn't see any "acts of God" clauses...

I'm not trying to get you to buy an R1. It's been discontinued in the US and much of Europe. Sony wants us to buy the A100 and thinks the R1 would "compete". Soon someone will realize that there are customers out there that want some of the key advantages of cameras w/o a mirror and will bring out a "bridge" with a removable lens. I'm waiting...

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700 & Sony R1
CATS #25
PAS Scribe @ http://www.here-ugo.com/PAS_List.htm
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
'I brake for pixels...'

labyrinthworm said:

i first want to thank everyone in the forum who has responded, it
has been both helpful and confusing haha, but mostly helpful
because i have learned more.

Click to expand...

All part of the service...

labyrinthworm said:

I am still conflicting on the size trade-off of the camera and the
portability of will i bring this everywhere.

Click to expand...

Well, bitter experience tells me that you will at first but soon realise that one camera body, perhaps two lenses and perhaps a flash (the "pop-up" ones work well for fill-in in daylight) is/are all you need. So you end up with a P&S at times. After a while the things start to put on weight. Mine start off weighing about 14 or 15 lbs but fell like 14 or 15 tons (English tons btw, not the lightweight USA ones) by the end of the day. That is why commercial photographers have assistants.

labyrinthworm said:

I went to Best Buy today and got some shots with the XTi, i loved
the focus and everything right off, something i would've worked
harder to get with my point and shoot. The guy let me try a
telephoto lens too which was really great for the focus and
whatnot. It felt weird, i wanted to spend more time, but i looked
around for a bit.

The only one thing that i did not like. actually two were
A.) that when i look into the viewfinder my nose prints get on the LCD

Click to expand...

Happens all the time. Carry a lens tissue with it for the LCD screen or hold the camera the other way round.

labyrinthworm said:

B.) The LCD without live preview. I like the fact you can review
right on the camera, but I am not used to the non-live preview, but
I could warm up to it.

Click to expand...

Probably...

labyrinthworm said:

The thing is i really liked it, but i still have to ponder about
the size issue in my mind, and portability issues. Also lens lust,
and i saw a bigger flash system the ones that hook on the top for
350, though i would never get the stuff at BestBuy bc they are
relatively expensive. I am sure the lenses are not 250 each ,
depending on what it is/where you get it. I just want to make sure
i have something that lasts me a while, though if i do get this
odds are i will want a point and shoot for compatibility. But now
that i have felt it, and the little clicking sound when taking a
picture and the clarity will make me want on of the SLRs eventually
, damned if i do damned if i dont i guess.

the biggest drawback was the non-live preview.

Also

i have a sort of related question. best buy was like "OMG 4 year
protection plan!!! and with what happened to my last one (which
hopefully would not happen ever again) i want to be protected for
ANY circumstance, if i drop it if i break it if i break it, and
they said it was general defect/lens/etc protection, but how would
i go about getting some sort of insurance for it if i got the more
expesnive, i want it covered even if i throw it against a brick
wall, is that expensive, easily available, etc???? sort of a side
thing.

Click to expand...

Add the camera to whatever policies you have or look for a camera policy. Probably best as it covers the camera and most normal things you do, whereas adding it to a policy (like the household one) might exclude damage outside the home (which is why they are called house contents policies). A bit too specialised a question for this forum.

Extended warranties are usually to cover repairs and so on but do good cameras need that much spent on the repair? Will you want the same camera in 2 or 3 years time when everyone else will have the latest? Dropping a camera and not repairing it can be a good excuse for a newer one... Think carefully and get advice from people who don't rely on commission to maintain their Ferraris.

Have fun,

Regards, David

The whole SD series is good. However, I would chose either the SD700 (more to the telephoto side) or the SD800 (more to the wide angle side) I would skip the SD900 because of the lack of IS. They are both great cameras that you can get very decent 8 X 10's out of...
--
'Once in a while you get shown the light,
in the strangest of places if you look at it right...'

I read the in depth-review of the XTi, and some of the D80 because I am starting to lean towards the SLR. Still pensive about the two biggest trade-offs in my mind which are the Live Preview and Size. I was looking at the D80 because here it does say that there are some advantages :

""wider range of camera control, a larger and brighter viewfinder, better ergonomics, a bigger battery, faster USB, spot metering and surprisingly useful customizable automatic ISO""

The thing is though, I can get the XTi for about $715 without the stock lens and about $820 with the stock lens, and I could not get a discount on a Nikon D80, but I am wondering if the improvments are that much greater that it is even worth the extra money esp with their stock lens that makes it a $1299 price tag.

In my mind, I have forseen that regardless of if I get a SD now , i will want an SLR, and if i get an SLR now, i will want something smaller later on.

I want to make a decision by Wednesday because I seriously will think about this until there is an SD4000 and a Rebel 900D.

still pondering but at least I feel like I know more

labyrinthworm said:

I read the in depth-review of the XTi, and some of the D80 because
I am starting to lean towards the SLR. Still pensive about the two
biggest trade-offs in my mind which are the Live Preview and Size.

Click to expand...

Well, neither of these dSLRs have live preview.

labyrinthworm said:

I was looking at the D80 because here it does say that there are
some advantages :

""wider range of camera control, a larger and brighter viewfinder,
better ergonomics, a bigger battery, faster USB, spot metering and
surprisingly useful customizable automatic ISO""

Click to expand...

It's clear (at least to me) that the D80 is the better camera. Nikon has staked out the high ground with the D80. But the D80 is not Nikon's entry-level dSLR...that's the D50 (or the D60, when and if that appears). So you are somewhat comparing Chevy and Lincoln.

Some of those advantages are not "biggies", but I think "...a larger and brighter viewfinder, better ergonomics..." are quite important.

But you will like either of these cameras.

labyrinthworm said:

The thing is though, I can get the XTi for about $715 without the
stock lens and about $820 with the stock lens, and I could not get
a discount on a Nikon D80, but I am wondering if the improvments
are that much greater that it is even worth the extra money esp
with their stock lens that makes it a $1299 price tag.

Click to expand...

The "kit" lenses are not much! Rumor has it that the Nikkor offering is a bit better? Personally, I would pass on the "kit" and get something a bit better. It's hard to take good pix with a "bad" lens... :-0

Only you can determine what your IQ threshold and budget limit are.

If I was doing it, I'd buy the cheaper body and a better lens.

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700 & Sony R1
CATS #25
PAS Scribe @ http://www.here-ugo.com/PAS_List.htm
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
'I brake for pixels...'

chuxter said:

If I was doing it, I'd buy the cheaper body and a better lens.

Click to expand...

what would you suggest. i am pretty sure that i am getting it would get it without the lens kit, i can only get gray though, which i guess i can deal with haha.

i heard on amazon that the stock lens isnt that great, so the 100 i will be saving i can put a little more and get a decent lens. any suggestions?

I am going to make my purchase fairly soon but with a few more questions.

1.) Getting XTi I have not heard anything good about the stock lens, so what would one suggest for general uses.

2.) I am getting a quote on renter's insurance for my camera/computers/etc. and the girl needs to call me back because she didn't know if accidental damage (like how my SD550 got messed up) was covered. blah. anyone know of any good "if i drop it" accident insurance type stuff?

3.) I am still venturing off of the notions of my 2 biggest trade offs of upgrading from P&S which are size (nothing i can do about that, but get used to it) and live preview. I was doing a little research and the Olympus E-330 has live preview. What are people's thoughts about this camera?

THANKS EVERYONE SO FAR FOR YOUR HELP !

ALSO (in addition to the 3 questions I just posted, if someone could answer those , i'd greatly appreciate it)

I was looking at a billboard and someone was selling a PowerShot Pro1, this is a $1000 camera, you can exchange lenses and whatnot, so how does it differ essentially from the XTi?

Thanks in advance!

labyrinthworm said:

ALSO (in addition to the 3 questions I just posted, if someone could answer those , i'd greatly appreciate it)

Click to expand...

------- Too much personal preference (and budget), but I'd say this much:

------- On your Canon/Nikon decision, all the Nikon cameras are "crop sensor," i.e. smaller than a 35mm film camera frame was, whereas Canon makes crop cams and ALSO so-called "full-frame" cams (a sensosr the size of a 35mm film frame). You really should think about what you might want down the road, i.e. if you end up lusting after a Canon 5D or 1Ds (full-frame), you'll be able to move to that, whereas Nikon will keep you in the crop-sensor realm. However... the downside is you'll be choosing (for Canon) between EF lenses (their traditional full lineup, perfect for full-frame 5D or 1Ds but requiring some math for the XTi or 30D etc.) and EF-S lenses (made JUST for the crop-cams, i.e. XTi and 30D and so on, but not usable on the full-frames). Depends whether you're used to film or not, but the factor on the Canons is 1.6... e.g. a 100mm lens mounted on a 5D or 1Ds will seem like the 100mm you're used to from film, but on an XTi or 30D it will seem like 160mm. This is a matter of cropping-in-camera, not really zooming in more, but that's the consideration.

------- That said, if you choose a 35mm lens for your XTi, it would seem like 56mm on the XTi... a 50mm would seem like 80mm, and an 85mm would seem like 136mm. Me, I'd probably buy the EF lens, so I'd not be selling it off when I moved to full-frame, but there are some really good EF-S lenses, if you want to commit to that format or take a chance (e.g. 10-22mm zoom, but that would NOT be a one-and-only choice in my book).

------- Whether you like 35-50-85 as a standard is all personal preference, but as you can see, your choice now will be a different choice if you move to a 5D/etc.

labyrinthworm said:

I was looking at a billboard and someone was selling a PowerShot Pro1, this is a $1000 camera, you can exchange lenses and whatnot, so how does it differ essentially from the XTi?

Click to expand...

------- Fixed-lens camera ("all-in-one" or "prosumer"), not a dSLR.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonpro1/
------- No longer in Canon's lineup... $350 on eBay.

Thanks CanonF1,

I guess I have a lot to learn about lenses, but that is part of the venture!

Could you explain more in depth the difference between the EF lens and regular. the crop sensor crops the picture and full frame is the full, what is the size difference in those. (im really super new to the whole dSLR thing, but thats why im asking questions so i can get this sorted)....

if i were to keep on board with EF lenses what is a good lens to start with (at a fairly inexpensive price). I'll prob want a macro eventually too just because I found myself always using macro with my P&S.

If i do move to the higher series 5D and such, it will not be for a while if that were the case, but that would mean that Non-EF lenses would not work? I am pretty sure I am getting the XTi, i just want to get some things situated, so when I order it tomorrow or soon I can gauge what I need to buy for a lens that is better than the stock lens. I figure if I am saving 100 on the lens, I can invest that and get a better one since I haven't heard suberb things about them. Plus, the XTi is going to cost me about 720 without the lens, so that's a save, it is just a matter of picking one that I will be satisfied with for a while, as I cannot buy a new lens every week.
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also anyone know anything about my insurance question?

Labyrinth,

I love print, far more than looking at images on monitors and have been researching the highest quality compact cameras that can make solid quality 11X14" prints.

I've come to the A630. One of the reasons is the sensor is larger than the SD series and will print larger with more image quality.

It has full manual controls, so you can enjoy much of the flexibility of what dSLR's allow.

Lastly, SLR's will undoubtedly give you better image quality and less noise, but, you'll find yourself wishing you had a camera when wonderful shots come along and you didn't want to lug your 'big' SLR around.

I'd go with a good compact, get to know the digital world, and later, spring for the 'big boy'.

Just my thoughts,
Bob

Well, you really need to head off and do your own research... there are too many variables. Go to Canon's site to see the whole lineup... go to BHPhoto to see prices from a dependable source... check buydig.com to see possibly better prices from another source I've had luck with...

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111
http://www.bhphoto.com
http://www.buydig.com

Then figure the size you want. That's YOUR call.

In a nutshell... Canon EF-S lenses only work on Rebel XTi 400D (etc.) and 10D-20D-30D... so if you ever move up, you'll sell those along with the body. Maybe not a biggie. You CAN, however, use EF lenses with ANY of their dSLRs... but with a smaller part of its image registering on the sensor of the smaller cameras (XTi etc.). The EF-S lenses are more compact, though, and probably more appropriate to the XTi, if that's your plan for the foreseeable future.

Variables beyond that go on and on... focal length, quality, prime or zoom, maximum aperture, "L" or not, whether it has a 'quiet' USM motor, and more. Dig through the Canon SLR Lens Talk here on DPR...! And check out that Fred Miranda lens site mentioned earlier.
Good luck.